NISKAYUNA –  Besides its “stunning amenities in a tranquil setting,” Iroquois Village bills itself online as a pet-friendly development where “pets are more than just family, they are our life partners.”

But an impending policy — which is poised to begin in January and requires dog owners at this complex on the edge of town to have their pooch’s cheeks swabbed for DNA, in a bid to ensure people clean up after their animals — has some tenants questioning that claim.

“People think it’s a joke,” said Angela Rosetti, who has lived at Iroquois Village for about 18 months with her significant other, two children and a 10-pound maltipoo, a Maltese and poodle mix.

It’s not a joke, said property manager Jillian Ferrera.

“We’ve gotten a lot of complaints and we’ve noticed it ourselves,” said Ferrera on Monday about an increase in dog owners not cleaning up after their dogs at Iroquois. She said it’s especially noticeable after the snow melts.

Rene Santos, who has lived at Iroquois for just over a year, said Monday that he often sees people cleaning up after their dogs and has not noticed a problem in his walks around the development.

“I don’t know what’s behind this new rule,” he said.

A tenant who identified himself Monday only as J.M. said he didn’t agree with the policy change, citing it as an invasion of privacy.

The man, who has a 7-month-old beagle and has lived at the complex for a year, said the complex has surveillance cameras that could be used to track down people who leave their dog’s mess behind.

Ferrera sent out an email Friday informing residents that Iroquois Village would be participating in program called PooPrints “due to a small percentage of residents that have not been using the provided pet stations to pick up after their dogs.”

PooPrints is the first and largest commercial DNA waste management program that creates a genetic database of dogs. The DNA is collected through cheek swabs, according to its website. The pet cleanup enforcement involves collecting unscooped pet waste and using DNA to determine the source.

The email also states that every dog owner must call or email management to schedule an appointment for their dog to get swabbed in the office for a DNA sample. Those samples will become part of a registry that will be created by another outside company called BioPet Vet Lab.

From there, “any feces found on the property will be checked for DNA and the pet owner will be fined $300,”  states the email.

Any resident who fails to pay the fine “will be subject to termination” which Ferrara told the Times Union Monday means that their lease will not be renewed. Failure to register a pet can result in the same penalty plus a $300 fine.

“We love all the dogs at Iroquois Village and we are looking forward to providing this great program that will enable us to continue to allow pets while keeping our grounds clean and sanitary,” ends the email, which is signed by Ferrera.

The development features a dog park as well as several stations where dog owners can grab a plastic bag to clean up after their pooch.

Veteran Schenectady-based attorney Steven X. Kouray surmised Monday that standard language he often sees in many commercial leases related to “reasonable regulations for the use and enjoyment of the premises”  may insulate Iroquois Village from any legal challenges.

“I think they could do it provided they have that kind of a clause in their lease,” he said. If the matter were to go to court, a judge may have a problem with the imposition of $300 fine if someone doesn’t register their dog for the DNA register. He suggested $50 as a more reasonable penalty.

Rosetti, who works in radio production, said the money the development’s management is paying for the PooPrints program could be better spent on fixing up the property.

She is contemplating not bringing her dog in for the DNA testing, which starts Tuesday, at the peril of possibly losing the apartment.

“Kick me out because I think it’s that crazy,” she added.

Resident Dianne Burns said she does not understand what all fuss is about.

In her two years at the complex, she has seen tenants open the front doors to their building, let the dog out to do their business, and then shut the door behind them without cleaning up the mess.

“I think that people are irresponsible and it’s dangerous especially if the dog has a bacteria … ,” said Burns, who during her stop in the office Monday made her appointment to bring in her bichon frise, Ally.

As of early Monday afternoon, Ferrera said a dozen people had already made appointments for the DNA dog test and that she had received nothing but positive feedback from residents. She said roughly about 38 dogs live with their owners at Iroquois.

The place is owned by Burns Management, a real estate asset and property management firm based in Albany.

Ferrera said PooPrints, which is already in place at two of Iroquois’ “sister properties” – The Springs in Saratoga Springs and Schulyer Commons in Latham — has “worked wonders” when it comes to keeping the grounds clean at those two developments.

She said that the policy will be a part of new leases and that, three months after a person leaves Iroquois, they will be expunged from the registry.